Baseball batting stance training mat and assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a baseball batting stance training mat and assembly. The assembly essentially comprises a stance training mat for placement upon a baseball field or similar other playing field and at least one rearward foot-receiving cuff for removable or breakaway attachment to the stance training mat. The stance training mat essentially comprises two distinct zones, namely, a stance zone and a plate-alignment zone. The plate alignment zone comprises a zone vacancy for receiving a selected lateral half of a home plate. When a left-handed mat and a right-handed mat are used in tandem with one another, the mats form an hourglass-shaped batter&#39;s box type arrangement. Each stance zone may comprise a plurality of foot print indicia. The cuff is removably attached adjacent select rearward foot print indicia and is designed for breakaway from the stance training mat in the event of a cuff-removing force.

PRIOR HISTORY

This application is a continuation-in-part patent application claimingpriority to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/746,746, filedin the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Dec. 24, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a training device forimproving a baseball player's skills. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a training mat for improving a baseball player'sbatting stance while positioned within a so-called, “batter's box.” Thepresent invention thus provides users with means to improve upon abaseball player's batting skills by developing proper batting stancetechnique.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The key to being successful as an offensive baseball player is theability to successfully hit or make proper contact with pitched orpositioned baseballs. The ability to successfully hit a baseball beginswith proper balance at home plate and thus it is critical that baseballplayers learn the basic batting stance. Once the basic batting stance ismastered, the baseball player typically improves upon the basic battingstance in a manner unique to the player as he or she gains battingexperience. It is thus noted that there are many stances from which tochoose, but the consensus from most hitting coaches is that the basicparallel stance will provide a novice hitter with the best opportunityto hit the ball.

Typically, the baseball player or hitter should take a parallel stancewith the feet shoulder width apart in the middle of the appropriatebatter's box adjacent home plate. The hitter should not position himselftoo close to the plate but close enough so that the head of the bat isable to cover the outside corner. The hitter's weight should be on theballs of his or her feet. As a hitter starts a swing, the hittertypically shifts the hitter's weight to the hitter's back leg turningthe hitter's hips rearward. During the swinging action, the hittertypically transfers the hitter's center of gravity in a forwarddirection, shifting the hitter's weight to the hitter's front or forwardleg. As the hitter transfers the hitter's weight, the hitter twists thehitter's hips, torso, and knees while also swinging the bat. It is notedthat the described hip action is often considered to be the mostimportant factor, since a significant amount of hitting power will comefrom the hitter's hips. In order to properly twist a hitter's hips, thehitter should rotate the balls of the hitter's feet. Thus, as the hittersees the ball approaching him, he shifts the weight from his back leg tohis front leg as he “steps into the pitch.” He then twists his body,transferring considerable energy to the bat. The hand and the batinitially travel at about 40 mph, but at the point when the bat meetsthe ball, the hand and the bat will travel in excess of 70 mph. Sincethe bat is swung at such a high speed, it has been calculated that even0.01 seconds may make a difference between a home run and a pop out.

It is further noted that parents and coaches are often involved in theprocess of teaching younger players how to best practice variousbaseball skills, including batting stance technique. It is also noted,however, that younger baseball players often practice unsupervised.Thus, in an effort to provide players with a means to develop properbatting stance technique, whether supervised or unsupervised, a numberof inventors have developed training aids or devices to assist thenovice hitter in developing proper batting technique as well as toassist the novice hitter in developing proper batting stance technique.It is thus noted that a variety of different types of batting stancetraining devices have been developed as a means to aid baseball playersin the development of a proper batting stance. Some of the morepertinent prior art relating to batting stance training devices and thelike is described hereinafter.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,342,487 ('487 patent), which issued to David, disclosesa Baseball Stance and Stride Practice Plate. The '487 patent teachesbaseball batting stance and stride practice plate comprising a flatplate with raised ridges forming batter foot guides. One ridge isdisposed along the width of the plate and the batter's back foot isdisposed against this ridge which is provided with an opening to allowthe back foot to swivel during the stride. Two other ridges are disposedacross the full width of the plate in laterally spaced apart diagonaldirection against which the forward foot of the batter is disposed bothbefore and after he takes his batting stride.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,350,096 ('096 patent), which issued to Kile et al.,discloses a Batter's Front Foot Guide. The '096 patent teaches a guidefor restricting movement of a batter's foot relative to a batter's boxduring batting practice comprising track means extending longitudinallyof the batter's box, a movable foot piece, means for attaching one ofthe batter's feet, the foot piece, and resilient connecting meansinterposed between the foot piece and the track means.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,930 ('930 patent), which issued to Sertich,discloses a Foot Trainer with Adjustable Rotation and Friction Means.The '930 patent teaches a trainer for sportsmen which is designed torestrict, while guiding, the rotational movement of one of thesportsman's feet. By varying the degree of rotation of the foot andvarying the force required to rotate the foot, the trainer adjustablycontrols the foot of the sportsman during the movement of his body as instriking a golf ball or tennis ball or baseball.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,116 ('116 patent), which issued to Matchick,discloses a Stride-Box. The patent teaches a batter's training devicecomprising a sheet material which defines a first pivot foot opening anda second stride foot opening. Means are provided in the stride footopening for adjusting the distance of the stride foot opening from thepivot foot opening and for adjusting the length of the stride footopening.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,580 ('580 patent), which issued to Lang, discloses aFoot Position Teaching Apparatus for Batting Practice. The '580 patentteaches a foot positioning apparatus, which is flat, flexible, and easyfor anyone to use. A first member and a second member are telescopicallyattached to each other and the first member is pivotally attached tohome plate. A third member is pivotally attached to the second memberand the second member has foot alignment devices on each end thereofwhich are pivotally attached to the third member whereby the entiredevice can be adjustably pivoted around home plate to accommodate both aleft hand and a right hand batter and the batter can be adjustedadditionally as to foot and leg positions and distance from home plate.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,004 ('004 patent), which issued to Wiseman et al.,discloses a Batting Training Device. The '004 patent teaches a matmarked with first indicia designating home plate and a plurality ofsecond indicia showing sequential segments for the batter to place hisor her feet. The Mat may be used alone to achieve a proper battingstance and proper foot positioning in relation to home plate or with atleast one measuring means for measuring a point located in the strikezone of the batter identifying the height of a level swing of the bat.This measured specific distance correlates to a proper distance fromhome plate the batter should distance himself or herself to hit the ballwith the “power zone” of the bat with a full arm extension of theleading arm. See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,880 ('880 patent), which alsoissued to Wiseman et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,001 ('001 patent), which issued to Pierce, disclosesa Foot Position Trainer Apparatus. The '001 patent teaches a footpositioning training apparatus comprising a foot support member formedin the shape of the sole of a shoe. A toe portion is attached to a frontedge of the support member and extends upwardly and rearwardly therefromand defines a space for receiving the toes of a batter's foot and, moreparticularly, for receiving the toe portion of a batter's shoe. The toeportion restricts vertical movement of a batter's foot when batting abaseball. The apparatus further includes an upstanding wall extendingalong an outer edge of the support surface between the toe portion and arear edge for restricting outward lateral movement of a batter's footwhen batting a baseball. See also United States Patent Application No.2002/0091020, published by Pierce.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0130072, authoredby Barth et al., discloses a Baseball Batting Stride Device and System,and Method of Using Same. This publication teaches an apparatus formodifying the stride of a baseball batter's swing motion, includingmeans of capturing a lower portion of a baseball batter's foot and meansof elastomerically tethering the capturing means to substratum, whereinthe batter's leading toes are allowed to stride in any directionessentially free of substantial distal destabilizing hindrance.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0143200 ('200Publication) authored by Hedgepath, teaches certain subject matter fromwhich the present disclosures claim a benefit. The '200 Publicationteaches a certain baseball batting stance training assembly. Theassembly of the '200 Publication essentially comprises a stance trainingmat for placement upon a baseball field or similar other playing fieldand at least one rearward foot-receiving cuff for removable or breakawayattachment to the stance training mat. The stance training mat of the'200 Publication essentially comprises at least three distinct zones,namely, left and right mat zones and a home plate zone. The left matzone and the right mat zone are aligned laterally opposite the homeplate zone, which home plate zone comprises a home plate marker orvirtual home plate. The left and right mat zones each comprise aplurality of foot print indicia. The cuff is removably attached adjacentselect rearward foot print indicia and is designed for breakaway fromthe stance training mat in the event of a net cuff-removing force.

From a review of the prior art and from a consideration of otherdisclosures generally known in the relevant art, it will be seen thatthe prior art does not teach a baseball batting stance training matcomprising a rectangular left or right batter's box and aplate-alignment zone having a zone vacancy for receiving either the leftor right lateral half of a home plate, which structural configurationdraws users' and onlookers' attentions to the center of activity,namely, the home plate for enhancing both users' batting skills andonlookers' enthusiasm for the game. The prior art thus perceives a needfor a stance training mat of the type heretofore envisioned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide abaseball batting stance system or a baseball batting stance trainingassembly for use in combination with the home plate of a baseballplaying field, the baseball batting stance system comprising asubstantially planar stance training mat for placement upon the homeplate region of the baseball field, and at least one rearwardfoot-receiving cuff for removable or breakaway attachment to the stancetraining mat. It is a further object of the present invention to providea stance training mat constructed from a compliant, low memory materialcomprising a superior mat surface, an inferior mat surface, and at leasttwo distinct zones. In this last regard, it is a further object of thepresent invention to provide a stance training mat comprising twodistinct zones defined by a stance zone and a plate-alignment zone,which zones collectively enable users thereof to selectively learn ordevelop proper batting stance technique on either side of a home plate.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide left andright mat zones aligned laterally opposite a home plate zone wherein theleft and right mat zones each comprise foot print indicia defined byforward foot markers and rearward foot markers. In this regard, it is anobject of the present invention to provide rearward foot markers thatcomprise structure for receiving a breakaway foot-receiving cuff. It isthus a further object of the present invention to provide afoot-receiving cuff designed to properly position the rearward foot,while providing breakaway attachment means for detaching the cuff fromthe stance training mat in a breakaway manner so as to preventunfortunate injury to the user should sufficient cuff-removing forces bepresent during a batting swing.

To achieve these and other readily apparent objectives, the presentinvention provides a batting stance training assembly for improving auser's batting stance, the baseball training assembly comprising certainrearward foot-retaining means, a home plate, and a stance training mat.The home plate comprise a medial dividing axis, the medial dividing axisdividing the home plate into first and second lateral home plate halves.The stance training mat, the stance training mat comprises an upper matsurface, a stance zone, and a plate-alignment zone. The stance zone ispreferably rectangularly shaped so as to cover or provide a left orright batter's box. The plate-alignment zone comprises a zone vacancysized and shaped for receiving a select home plate half, the select homeplate half being selected from the group consisting of the first andsecond lateral home plate halves.

The zone vacancy functions to receive the select home plate half.Together, the plate-alignment zone and the medial dividing axis form atrapezoidally shaped zone adjacent the stance zone. The upper matsurface comprises certain surface indicia, including rearward footplacement indicia and forward foot placement indicia. The rearward footplacement indicia comprise distinct markings, each distinct markingbeing formed in the shape of a footprint. The foot placement indiciafunction to guide a user's feet into stance placement. The rearwardfoot-retaining means are cooperatively associated with the distinctmarkings for retaining the user's rearward foot in superior adjacency toa select distinct marking. The guided user's feet thus become properlypositioned for improving the user's batting stance.

Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features,elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated or become apparentfrom, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of my invention will become more evident from aconsideration of the following brief description of patent drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of two laterally-opposed batting stancetraining mats of the present invention positioned adjacent a home plate.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of two laterally-opposed batting stancetraining mats of the present invention positioned adjacent a home plate.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a single batting stance training matof the present invention positioned adjacent a first lateral home platehalf.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a single batting stance training matof the present invention positioned adjacent a second lateral home platehalf.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a single batting stance training mat shownin FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a foot-receiving cuff of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the foot-receiving cuff shown in FIG. 6with a rearward foot received therein.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of the foot-receivingcuff of the present invention showing a cuff plug.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the foot-receiving cuff of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the foot-receiving cuff of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of he foot-receiving cuff of the presentinvention with certain parts of the cuff plug broken away to showotherwise hidden structure.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the stance training matof the present invention showing a series of apertured plates.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a single apertured plate of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of a single apertured plate of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of a single preferred aperturedplate of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of two apertured platessandwiched together in superior-inferior relation to one another.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of a single alternative aperturedplate of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view of the foot-receivingcuff plug received in an aperture of the alternative apertured plate.

FIG. 19 is a combination depiction depicting (1) a top plan view of twolaterally-opposed batting stance training mats of the present inventionpositioned adjacent a home plate and (2) lateral and longitudinal sideviews of the top plan view depiction showing varying thicknesses of themats as compared to the home plate.

FIG. 20 is a combination depiction depicting a fragmentary enlarged planview of the left most stance training mat shown in FIG. 19 with (1) alateral side view of the top plan view depiction and (2) a side view ofan isolated home plate.

FIG. 21 is a combination depiction depicting a fragmentary enlarged planview of the fore most structures shown in FIG. 19 with (1) alongitudinal side view of the top plan view depiction and (2) a sideview of an isolated home plate.

FIG. 22(a) is the lateral side view of the top plan view depiction shownin FIG. 20 with a layer of artificial turf exploded in superioradjacency thereto.

FIG. 22(b) is the lateral side view of the top plan view depiction shownin FIG. 22(a) with the layer of artificial turf resting thereupon.

FIG. 23(a) is the longitudinal side view of the top plan view depictionshown in FIG. 21 with a layer of artificial turf exploded in superioradjacency thereto.

FIG. 23(b) is the longitudinal side view of the top plan view depictionshown in FIG. 23(a) with the layer of artificial turf resting thereupon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention generally concerns a baseball batting stance training systemor a baseball batting stance training assembly for use in combinationwith the home plate region of a baseball field. The baseball battingstance training system or assembly is primarily designed so as to enableusers thereof to improving one's batting stance as a means to improveone's hitting skills. In other words, it is contemplated that bydeveloping a proper batting stance, the baseball player will improve theplayer's batting skills as earlier described. It is contemplated thatthe baseball batting stance training assembly of the present inventiongenerally comprises, in combination, certain rearward foot-retainingmeans; a home plate 11 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1-5, 12,and 19-22(a), and 23(a); and a stance training mat 10 as illustrated andreferenced in FIGS. 1-5, 12, and 19-23(b).

It is contemplated that the home plate 11, whether of a standard,officially recognized and sanctioned size and shape, or whether of aninformal non-standard size and shape (i.e. rectangular or havingdimensions other than 17 inches wide by 17 inches long), willnecessarily or inherently comprise a certain home plate thickness 103 asreferenced in FIGS. 20 and 21. Further, the stance training mat 10 ofthe present invention preferably has a certain mat thickness 104 asreferenced in FIGS. 20 and 21. It will be seen from an inspection of thenoted figures that the home plate thickness 103 is preferably greater inmagnitude than the mat thickness 104 for forming an exposed home platethickness 105 (when bound by the mat 10). In this regard, it iscontemplated that the stance training mat 10 may well function toprovide the exposed home plate thickness 105 for enhancing players'ability to sight the home plate 11 as bound by the stance training mat10 for enhancing athleticism (as, for example, when a player desires toaim a thrown ball towards home plate 11) or for preventing injury (as,for example, when a player desires to slide into home plate 11).

The rearward foot-retaining means of the present invention may bepreferably defined by a rearward foot-receiving cuff assembly 12 asillustrated and referenced in FIGS. 6-12, and 18; and certain hardwarecooperatively associated with stance training mat 10 as illustrated andreferenced in FIGS. 1-5, and 12. Together, the foot-receiving cuffassembly 12 and the hardware function to selectively retain a user'srearward foot 15 (as depicted in broken lines in FIG. 7) in superioradjacency to certain foot-guiding indicia marked upon the mat surface.The hardware here noted may be defined by at least one, but preferably aseries of apertured plates 13 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS.12-16. An alternative apertured plate 13(a) is illustrated andreferenced in FIGS. 17 and 18.

The foot-receiving cuff 12 comprises certain superior foot-receivingmeans and an inferior plug 19 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 8,10, 11, and 18. The foot-receiving means may be preferably defined bymeans for enveloping the metatarsal region 14 of the user's rearwardfoot 15 as generally depicted in FIG. 7, which means may be defined bycertain flap structures or a flap assembly. The flap assembly preferablycomprises a foot-engaging first flap 17 and a flap-securing second flap18 both of which are illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 6-12, and 18.First flap 17 preferably comprises an inferior foot-engaging surface,and a superior second flap-engaging surface. Second flap 18 preferablycomprises an inferior first flap-engaging surface. The superior secondflap-engaging surface and the inferior first flap-engaging surface eachpreferably comprise matable fastening means as generally depicted inFIGS. 9 and 10.

The inferior foot-engaging surface is designed primarily for receivingthe metatarsal region 14 of the user's rearward foot 15, and the matablefastening means is designed primarily for removably securing second flap18 to first flap 17. The matable fastening means may preferably bedefined by matable hook and loop fastening means as referenced at 16 inFIGS. 9 and 10. Excellent results have been obtained using VELCRO brandhook and loop fastening means as the preferred matable hook and loopfastening means. It should be further noted that foot-receiving cuff 30is preferably adjustable by way of the matable fastening means so as toaccept variously sized feet. In practice it is important to have a snugfit around the user's rearward foot 15 so the proper batting stancetechnique will be maintained throughout the batting event.

As previously indicated, cuff assembly 12 further preferably comprisesan inferior plug or knob 19 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 8,10, 11, and 18. Plug 19 is matably received in certain plug-receivingdepressions or apertures 20 formed in the apertures plates 13 as shownand referenced in FIGS. 12, 13, and 15-18. In this regard, it should beunderstood that plug 19 is preferably sized and shaped to snugly matewith apertures 20 such that, when engaged, cuff assembly 12 is preventedfrom orthogonal displacement relative to an axis of rotation or apertureaxis 100 extending through plug 19 and apertures 20 as referenced inFIGS. 8, 10, 11, and 15-18. It is contemplated that preferred aperturedplate 13 differs from alternative apertured plate 13(a) in that a firstand a second plate 13 may function to sandwich a mat magnet 21therebetween as generally illustrated and referenced in FIG. 16, whichmat magnet 21 may function to restrain plug 19 (and thus the user'srearward foot 15) from upward axial displacement along axis of rotation100 provided plug 19 is outfitted with an opposing magnetic end ascompared to the magnetic end of the adjacent mat magnet. In this regard,it should be noted that plug 19 may preferably comprise a plug magnet 22cooperable with mat magnet 21, which plug magnet 22 is illustrated andreferenced in FIG. 11. Thus, it will be understood that together, thefoot-receiving cuff assembly 12 and the apertured plates 13 and 13(a)may effectively function to selectively retain the user's rearward foot15 in superior adjacency to certain foot-guiding indicia marked upon themat surface.

In this last regard, it will be seen that each of the apertured plates13 and 13(a) preferably comprise two axially aligned apertures 20 andthat the upper mat surface comprises certain superficial or surfaceindicia, which surface indicia comprise certain forward foot placementindicia and certain rearward foot placement indicia or distinctmarkings. The forward foot markings or indicia of stance training mat 10preferably comprise a stride zone arrow 24 as generally illustrated andreferenced in FIGS. 1-5. The stride zone arrow 24 is intended to providea visual reminder to users that for proper batting technique, the usermay step toward the pitcher in the stride zone (as indicated by stridezone arrow 24) during the swing. Each rearward distinct marking ispreferably formed in the shape of a footprint 23, and which footprints23 may be preferably coaxially paired (or tiered) and/or provided inparallel series as generally depicted and referenced in FIGS. 1-5.

It is noted that a basic parallel batting stance enables novice hittersto develop proper stance technique, and thus the footprints 23 eachpreferably comprise a longitudinal foot placement axis 102 substantiallyparallel with the forward edge of home plate 11 and orthogonal to amedial home plate dividing axis 101 as generally referenced in FIGS. 3-5and 19-21. It will be understood from an inspection of the noted figuresthat the foot placement axes 102 preferably comprise both coaxial footplacement axes and parallel foot placement axes. It should be furtherunderstood that by providing footprints 23 having longitudinal footplacement axes 102 or axes through the length of the overall foot printindicia, the user or batter may properly align his or her rearward foot15 in a parallel stance adjacent home plate 11.

Noting that the foot placement indicia are incorporated into the designfor guiding a user's rearward foot 15 into stance placement, the variousfoot prints 23 are positioned adjacent apertures 20 so as to provide amultiplicity of placement choices for the user depending on the user'sstature or body size. The number of distinct rearward markings in theform and shape of footprints is more a matter of design choice thancriticality to the function of stance training mat 10. It iscontemplated that foot print indicia are included in the design ofstance training mat 10 so as to allow users or players of varying bodilysizes to properly utilize stance training mat 10. In other words,players of larger or medium size will necessarily have a wider footstance than players of smaller or small size. It will thus be seen thata relatively small size player or batter may properly position himselfupon stance training mat 10 such that his rearward foot 15 is placedupon a rearward footprint 23 closer in proximity to home plate 11 thanwould a larger size player or batter. It will be understood that largerplayers typically must position themselves further from home plate 11 sothat the head of the baseball bat, when swung, covers the far outsideedge of home plate 11. Should a smaller size batter position himself toofar from home plate 11, the head of an appropriately sized baseball batfor that individual may not reach the far outside edge of home plate 11,thus decreasing the likelihood of the batter's success while at theplate.

The footprint indicia may preferably comprise anti-skid orslip-resistant means to further improve the safety features of stancetraining mat 10. The anti-skid or slip resistant means may be defined byany of a variety of slip-resistance coatings or products such as thoseutilizing graded aggregates to create more surface area to effectivelyincrease the coefficient of friction between engaging surfaces, namely,the inferior foot print indicia-engaging surfaces of the user's feet andthe foot-engaging surfaces of the foot print indicia.

The foot-engaged stride zone arrow 24, the foot-engaged rearwardfootprint 23, foot-receiving cuff assembly 12, and apertures 20 togetherfunction to properly align a user's feet thereby improving the baseballplayer's or user's batting stance. By properly aligning the player'sfeet in a basic parallel stance, it is believed that the novice hitterwill develop proper stance technique. Further, when a downward force isplaced upon stance training mat 10 such as when a player stands or takesa basic parallel stance upon stance training mat 10, the anti-skid meansfunction to keep engaging surfaces in a high friction state thusdecreasing skid or slip tendencies as the user stands atop stancetraining mat 10. Certain anti-skid means may be further located on loweror inferior mat surface for enabling the stance training mat 10 toremain stationary when the user steps atop stance training mat. Further,it is contemplated that certain stakes 33 or similar other hardware mayfunction to fasten the mat 10 to a piercable supporting substrate, whichstakes are illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 5 and 12.

It is noted that the home plate 11 may be said to comprise a medial (orleft-right half) dividing axis 101 as referenced in FIGS. 1-5. Themedial dividing axis 101 essentially may function to divide the homeplate 11 into a first lateral home plate half 25 and a second lateralhome plate half 26 as further referenced in the noted figures and FIGS.19-21. Stance training mat 10 of the present invention is designed toreceive a select home plate half (as selected from the group consistingof the first and second home plate halves 25 and 26) in a manner muchakin to puzzle pieces. Stance training mat 10 is preferably constructedfrom a compliant, low memory material and comprises an upper mat surface27 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1-3, and 5; a stance zone 28as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1-5 and 19-21; and aplate-alignment zone 29 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1-5 and19-21. It will be seen from an inspection of the noted figures thatstance zone 28 is preferably rectangularly shaped and thatplate-alignment zone 29 comprises a zone vacancy as generally referencedat 30 in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The zone vacancy 30 is preferably sized and shaped for receiving aselect home plate half, the select home plate half being selected fromthe group consisting of the first and second lateral home plate halves25 and 26. When the zone vacancy 30 is positioned adjacent the homeplate 11 and receives the select home plate half, the plate-alignmentzone 29 and the medial dividing axis 101 are together trapezoidallyshaped as may be seen from a general inspection of the noted figures.Should two stance training mats 10 be aligned adjacent home plate 11,with the zone vacancies 30 of each mat 10 receiving the first and secondhome plate halves 25 and 26, the training mats 10 together may operateto form hourglass-shaped batter's box 31 as generally illustrated andreferenced in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be seen from an inspection of thenoted figures that the second training mat may be defined as a certainmirror image mat having left-to-right image reversal of the firsttraining mat about the medial dividing axis 101. It is contemplated thatthe triangular vacancies 32 at the neck of the hourglass-shaped batter'sbox 31 may well function to center onlookers' and users' attentions tothe home plate 11 as would arrowheads. It is thus contemplated that thehourglass-shaped batter's box 31 may effectively function to selectivelyimprove either a left-handed or a right-handed user's batting stance.

In this last regard, it is contemplated that the stance training mat 10may further preferably comprise an indicia-bearing lower mat surface 34as referenced in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. The indicia-bearing lower matsurface 34 provides a stance training mat that may be top-to-bottom,left-to-right reversible for enabling users thereof to position the matfor either left-handed hitting use as depicted in FIG. 4 or right-handedhitting use as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 5. When used in combination witha second stance training mat 10, the two mats may be utilized to formbatter's box 31 as previously specified. When used in isolation, thezone vacancy 30 of the stance training mat 10 receive a select homeplate half for selectively improving either a left-handed or aright-handed user's batting stance as the user may elect.

The upper mat surface 27 and lower mat surface 34 may preferablycomprise certain superficial or surface indicia, including rearward footplacement indicia and forward foot placement indicia. The foot placementindicia preferably include footprint-shaped rearward distinct markingsand certain arrow stride zone markings for guiding a user's feet intostance placement. The rearward foot-retaining means (as may be definedby cuff assembly 12 and a plurality of plug-receiving apertures 20) arecooperatively associated with the distinct markings for retaining theuser's rearward foot in superior adjacency to a select distinct marking.The guided user's feet are thus properly positioned for improving theuser's batting stance.

When stance training mat 10 is used in combination with an existingbaseball field and particularly in combination with a home plate region,it is contemplated that the baseball field essentially comprises asubstantially planar home plate region; a marked left field foul line;and a marked right field foul line. The home plate region typicallycomprises a substantially planar home plate region surface. Home plateregion surface is typically skinned or devoid of grass or similar typeturf, exposing a clay or similar other earthen surface. Although thepreferred embodiment of the present invention is designed for use incombination with a typically marked baseball field, it should be notedthat the preferred embodiment of the present invention might also beutilized on other similar playing field surfaces. For example, eitherimpromptu or planned baseball games are often played upon unmarked opengrassy spaces or alternatively, in indoor gymnasiums. Stance trainingmat 10 may quite easily be utilized in these scenarios.

In a typical marked baseball field scenario, however, the home plateregion essentially comprises a marked left batter box, a marked rightbatter box, and a marked catcher box. It is contemplated that batter'sbox 31 may be sized and shaped to cover a left batter box and a rightbatter box. Stance training mat 10 is preferably substantially planar indesign when in an unfurled state. As earlier mentioned stance trainingmat 10 is preferably constructed from a compliant, low memory materialsuch as sponge vinyl. Preferably, stance training mat 10 may be rolledfor storage and/or transport and unrolled for use upon home plateregions. Further stance training mat 10 must be highly resistant topunctures or tears from spikes, cleats or other foot wear havingpuncture-enabling structure. It is further contemplated that stancetraining mat 10 be constructed so as to satisfy other harsh conditions.For example, the materials used should be resistant to environmentalconditions such as exposure to rain or sunlight, as well as storageconditions having wide range temperature fluctuations, such as may beseen in storage areas lacking in temperature control means. It should befurther noted that when contemplated for high traffic or frequent use,the manufacturer should construct stance training mat from a thicker,heavier duty grade of material so as to withstand the likely wear andtear associated with high traffic or frequent use.

For purposes of this disclosure, it should be understood that the term“compliant” is meant to refer to the ability to readily conform to anunderlying substrate such as a home plate region surface or similarother playing field surface. Further, it should be understood that theterm “low memory” is meant to refer to the ability to rapidly complywith an underlying substrate when unconstrained from a prior condition,such as when a mat is unrolled or unfurled from a rolled or furledstate. It will thus be seen that a mat constructed from sponge vinyl orother similar materials, which are highly “compliant,” and of “lowmemory,” may readily conform to an underlying substrate such as a homeplate region surface and may rapidly comply to a new underlyingsubstrate when unconstrained from a prior condition, such as a rolled orfurled state.

It is further contemplated that the stance training mat of the presentinvention may be used in combination with a tee-ball assembly. Tee-ballassemblies are often utilized to teach novice hitters proper hittingtechnique and thus it is contemplated that tee-ball assembly may beutilized in combination with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention so as to develop proper stance technique as well as hittingtechnique in novice or beginner hitters.

Further, it is contemplated that a layer of artificial turf 50 may beused in combination with the mat 10 as generally depicted in FIGS. 22(a)through 23(b). It is contemplated that the layer of artificial turf 50may be removably placed upon mat 10 sized and shaped to match the topplan configuration of mat 10 and preferably has a thickness equal inmagnitude to the exposed home plate thickness 105 such that whenartificial turf 50 rests upon mat 10, the top (roughly planar) surfaceof home plate 11 is coplanar with the top (roughly planar) surface ofartificial turf as comparatively depicted in FIGS. 22(a) through 23(b).

While the above description contains much specificity, this specificityshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as an exemplification of the invention. For example, it iscontemplated that the present invention essentially discloses a battingstance training mat for improving a user's batting stance. The trainingmat essentially comprises an upper mat surface, a stance zone, and aplate-alignment zone. The plate-alignment zone comprises a zone vacancy,which zone vacancy is sized and shaped for receiving a select home platehalf, the select home plate half being selected from the groupconsisting of first and second lateral home plate halves, the lateralhome plate halves being divided by a medial dividing axis.

The zone vacancy receives the select home plate half, and theplate-alignment zone and the medial dividing axis are thus preferablytrapezoidally shaped for drawing the users' or onlookers' attentions tothe home plate 11. The upper mat surface comprises surface indicia,including rearward foot placement indicia and forward foot placementindicia. The rearward foot placement indicia comprise distinct markings,each of which are formed in the shape of a footprint. The foot placementindicia function to guide a user's feet into stance placement, and theguided user's feet may be properly positioned adjacent the home platefor improving the user's batting stance.

The mat may be cooperable with certain rearward foot-retaining means,which means are cooperatively associated with the footprint-shapeddistinct markings for retaining a user's rearward foot in superioradjacency to a select distinct marking. The rearward foot-retainingmeans may be definable by a cuff assembly and a plurality ofplug-receiving apertures. The cuff assembly comprises certainfoot-receiving means and a plug, the plug being sized and shaped to besnugly received in each plug-receiving aperture formed in or otherwiseassociated with the mat. The plug-receiving apertures each have anaperture axis for preventing the cuff assembly as donned upon the user'srearward foot from orthogonal displacement relative to the apertureaxes. The distinct markings each have a longitudinal foot placement axisorthogonal to the medial dividing axis of the home plate. The footplacement axes may preferably comprise coaxial foot placement axes andparallel foot placement axes for accommodating user's of varyingstatures.

The stance training mat may further comprise an indicia-bearing lowermat surface for enabling top-to-bottom, left-to-right mat reversibility.The zone vacancy may thus operate to receive either the first or secondlateral home plate half for selectively improving either a left-handedor a right-handed user's batting stance. The stance training mat is thususable in combination with a second batting stance training mat, thezone vacancies for receiving the first and second home plate halvesinclusively. When used in tandem, two stance training mats may togetherfunction to form an hourglass-shaped batter's box for selectivelyimproving either a left-handed or a right-handed user's batting stance.

The batting stance training mat of the present invention is thought toessentially comprise a stance zone, a plate-alignment zone, and certainfoot-guiding means (as may be defined by certain surface indicia aspreviously specified and/or certain foot-retaining means as previouslyspecified). In this regard, it is contemplated that the zone vacancy ofthe plate-alignment zone, being sized and shaped for receiving a selecthome plate half, and so receiving the select home plate half, provides abatting stance training mat comprising certain trapezoidally shaped homeplate-focusing structure when viewed in tandem with the medial dividingaxis of a home plate. The foot-guiding means of the training mateffectively function to guide a user's feet into stance placement, theguided user's feet being properly positioned adjacent a home plate forimproving the user's batting stance.

Further, it is contemplated that the baseball training mat of thepresent invention may be essentially described as one for selectiveplacement adjacent a home plate comprising a plate-alignment zone havinga zone vacancy sized and shaped for receiving a select home plate halfAccordingly, although the invention has been described by reference toat least one preferred embodiment with certain contemplated alternativeembodiments, it is not intended that the novel assembly be limitedthereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included asfalling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure,the following claims and the appended drawings.

1. A batting stance training assembly for improving a user's battingstance, the baseball training assembly comprising, in combination:rearward foot-retaining means; a home plate, the home plate comprising amedial dividing axis, the medial dividing axis dividing the home plateinto first and second lateral home plate halves; and a stance trainingmat, the stance training mat comprising an upper mat surface, a stancezone, and a plate-alignment zone, the stance zone being rectangularlyshaped, the plate-alignment zone comprising a zone vacancy, the zonevacancy being sized and shaped for receiving a select home plate half,the select home plate half being selected from the group consisting ofthe first and second lateral home plate halves, the zone vacancyreceiving the select home plate half, the plate-alignment zone and themedial dividing axis being trapezoidally shaped, the upper mat surfacecomprising surface indicia, the surface indicia comprising rearward footplacement indicia and forward foot placement indicia, the rearward footplacement indicia comprising distinct markings, each distinct markingbeing formed in the shape of a footprint, the foot placement indicia forguiding a user's feet into stance placement, the rearward foot-retainingmeans being cooperatively associated with the distinct markings forretaining the user's rearward foot in superior adjacency to a selectdistinct marking, the guided user's feet being properly positioned forimproving the user's batting stance.
 2. The batting stance trainingassembly of claim 1 wherein the distinct markings each have alongitudinal foot placement axis, the foot placement axes beingorthogonal to the medial dividing axis.
 3. The batting stance trainingassembly of claim 2 wherein the foot placement axes comprise coaxialfoot placement axes and parallel foot placement axes, the foot placementaxes for accommodating users of varying stature.
 4. The batting stancetraining assembly of claim 1 wherein the rearward foot-retaining meansare defined by a cuff assembly and a plurality of mat-borneplug-receiving apertures, the cuff assembly comprising foot-receivingmeans and a plug, the plug being sized and shaped to be snugly receivedin each plug-receiving aperture, the plug-receiving apertures eachhaving an aperture axis, the snugly received plug for preventingorthogonal cuff assembly displacement relative to the aperture axes. 5.The batting stance training assembly of claim 1 comprising two stancetraining mats, the zone vacancies receiving the first and second homeplate halves, the baseball training mats forming an hourglass-shapedbatter's box, the batter's box for selectively improving either aleft-handed or a right-handed user's batting stance.
 6. The battingstance training assembly of claim 1 wherein the stance training matcomprises an indicia-bearing lower mat surface, the stance training matbeing top-to-bottom, left-to-right reversible, the zone vacancyreceiving the select home plate half, the baseball training system forselectively improving either a left-handed or a right-handed user'sbatting stance.
 7. The batting stance training assembly of claim 1wherein the home plate has a home plate thickness and the stancetraining mat has a mat thickness, the home plate thickness being greaterin magnitude than the mat thickness for forming an exposed home platethickness, the exposed home plate thickness for enhancing players'ability to sight the home plate as bound by the stance training mat. 8.A batting stance training mat, the stance training mat for improving auser's batting stance, the stance training mat comprising: an upper matsurface, a stance zone, and a plate-alignment zone, the plate-alignmentzone comprising a zone vacancy, the zone vacancy being sized and shapedfor receiving a select home plate half, the select home plate half beingselected from the group consisting of first and second lateral homeplate halves, the lateral home plate halves being divided by a medialdividing axis, the zone vacancy receiving the select home plate half,the plate-alignment zone and the medial dividing axis beingtrapezoidally shaped, the upper mat surface comprising rearward footplacement indicia, the rearward foot placement indicia comprisingdistinct footprint-shaped markings, the rearward foot placement indiciafor guiding a user's rearward foot into stance placement, the guideduser's rearward foot being properly positioned adjacent a home plate forimproving the user's batting stance.
 9. The batting stance training matof claim 8 cooperable with rearward foot-retaining means, the rearwardfoot-retaining means being cooperatively associated with thefootprint-shaped markings for retaining the user's rearward foot insuperior adjacency to a select footprint-shaped marking.
 10. The battingstance training mat of claim 9 wherein the rearward foot-retaining meansare defined by a cuff assembly and a plurality of plug-receivingapertures, the cuff assembly comprising foot-receiving means and a plug,the plug being sized and shaped to be snugly received in eachplug-receiving aperture, the plug-receiving apertures each having anaperture axis, the snugly received plug for preventing orthogonal cuffassembly displacement relative to the aperture axes.
 11. The battingstance training mat of claim 8 wherein the footprint-shaped markingseach have a longitudinal foot placement axis, the foot placement axesbeing orthogonal to the medial dividing axis.
 12. The batting stancetraining mat of claim 11 wherein the foot placement axes comprisecoaxial foot placement axes and parallel foot placement axes, the footplacement axes for accommodating users of varying stature.
 13. Thebatting stance training mat of claim 8 comprising an indicia-bearinglower mat surface, the stance training mat being top-to-bottom,left-to-right reversible, the zone vacancy receiving the select homeplate half, the stance training mat for selectively improving either aleft-handed or a right-handed user's batting stance.
 14. The battingstance training mat of claim 13 usable in combination with a secondbatting stance training mat, the zone vacancies receiving the first andsecond home plate halves, the stance training mats thus forming ahourglass-shaped batter's box, the batter's box for selectivelyimproving either a left-handed or a right-handed user's batting stance.15. The batting stance training assembly of claim 8 wherein the selecthome plate half has a plate thickness and the stance training mat has amat thickness, the plate thickness being greater in magnitude than themat thickness for forming an exposed home plate thickness, the exposedhome plate thickness for enhancing players' ability to sight the selecthome plate half as bound by the stance training mat.
 16. A battingstance training mat, the stance training mat for improving a user'sbatting stance, the stance training mat comprising: a stance zone, aplate-alignment zone, and foot-guiding means, the plate-alignment zonecomprising a zone vacancy, the zone vacancy being sized and shaped forreceiving a select home plate half, the select home plate half beingselected from the group consisting of first and second lateral homeplate halves, the lateral home plate halves being divided by a medialdividing axis, the zone vacancy receiving the select home plate half,the plate-alignment zone and the medial dividing axis beingtrapezoidally shaped, the foot-guiding means for guiding a user's feetinto stance placement, the guided user's feet being properly positionedadjacent a home plate for improving the user's batting stance.
 17. Thebatting stance training mat of claim 16 wherein the foot-guiding meansare defined by surface indicia, the surface indicia being formed upon anupper mat surface and comprising rearward foot placement indicia, therearward foot placement indicia comprising distinct markings, eachdistinct marking being formed in the shape of a footprint.
 18. Thebatting stance training mat of claim 17 cooperable with rearwardfoot-retaining means, the rearward foot-retaining means beingcooperatively associated with the distinct markings for retaining auser's rearward foot in superior adjacency to a select distinct marking.19. The batting stance training mat of claim 18 wherein the rearwardfoot-retaining means are defined by a cuff assembly and a plurality ofplug-receiving apertures, the cuff assembly comprising foot-receivingmeans and a plug, the plug being sized and shaped to be snugly receivedin each plug-receiving aperture, the plug-receiving apertures eachhaving an aperture axis, the snugly received plug for preventingorthogonal cuff assembly displacement relative to the aperture axes. 20.The batting stance training mat of claim 16 wherein the distinctmarkings each have a longitudinal foot placement axis, the footplacement axes being orthogonal to the medial diving axis.
 21. Thebatting stance training mat of claim 20 wherein the foot placement axescomprise coaxial foot placement axes and parallel foot placement axes,the foot placement axes for accommodating users of varying stature. 22.The batting stance training mat of claim 16 comprising anindicia-bearing lower mat surface, the training mat being top-to-bottom,left-to-right reversible, the zone vacancy receiving the select homeplate half, the training mat for selectively improving either aleft-handed or a right-handed user's batting stance.
 23. The battingstance training mat of claim 16 usable in combination with a secondmirror image mat, the mirror image mat having left-to-right imagereversal of the training mat about the medial dividing axis, the zonevacancies receiving the first and second home plate halves, the trainingmat and the mirror image mat thus forming a hourglass-shaped batter'sbox, the batter's box for selectively improving either a left-handed ora right-handed user's batting stance.
 24. The batting stance trainingassembly of claim 16 wherein the select home plate half has a platethickness and the stance training mat has a mat thickness, the platethickness being greater in magnitude than the mat thickness for formingan exposed home plate thickness, the exposed home plate thickness forenhancing players' ability to sight the select home plate half as boundby the stance training mat.
 25. A baseball training mat, the baseballtraining mat for selective placement adjacent a home plate, the baseballtraining mat comprising a plate-alignment zone, the plate-alignment zonecomprising a zone vacancy, the zone vacancy being sized and shaped forreceiving a select home plate half, the select home plate half beingselected from the group consisting of first and second lateral homeplate halves, the lateral home plate halves being divided by a medialdividing axis, the baseball training mat thus for selective placementadjacent a home plate.
 26. The baseball training mat of claim 25 usablein combination with a second mirror image mat, the mirror image mathaving left-to-right image reversal of the training mat about the medialdividing axis, the zone vacancies receiving the first and second homeplate halves, the training mat and the mirror image mat thus forming aleft-right sided training assembly, the training assembly forselectively training left-handed and right-handed batters.
 27. Thebaseball training mat of claim 25 wherein the home plate has a homeplate thickness and the stance training mat has a mat thickness, thehome plate thickness being greater in magnitude than the mat thicknessfor forming an exposed home plate thickness, the exposed home platethickness for enhancing players' ability to sight the home plate asbound by the stance training mat.